“Fewer teacher candidates pass basic skills test”
That headline topped Catalyst Chicago’s story on the impact of an Illinois State Board of Education decision to raise passing scores on the test that college students must take to earn admission to a school of education. The board’s move was part of a strategy to raise the rigor of teacher preparation in Illinois and, in turn, improve the quality of the teaching force.
In September, the first round of testing took place under the new standard—and pass rates plummeted to 22 percent overall. The racial disparity was even more shocking. Scores hit rock-bottom for African-American and Latino students, at 3 percent and 7 percent respectively. The news stunned state officials, as well as community groups whose education agenda included bringing more minority teachers into schools...